Ready4Launch
Contributor
Went to the LDS. Talked about some BC's. Went away from there believing that BP/W is what I want. Still think it's what I want. But, now ... it's a bit of information overload reading through everything here.
So, questions I've got now...
1) Do you have to use a crotch strap for a BP/W system??? Seriously? If so, then I may really rethink the BP/W setup.
2) As a gear-junky with all the other things I do, I kinda want to know the "who's who" and how they rank for BC's. I see a lot of talk for Dive Rite. Not so much for Hollis, but it looked like the Hollis SMS 100 was the top of the line BC at the LDS. Aqualung? Would appreciate someone kind of ranking them out and a quick blurb why.
3) I've done a lot of reading. It's into the wee-hours of the morning. BP/W setup ... are they specific for a single tank setup which would mean you can't use a BP/W system for a two-tank when you go with one tank? STA fixes that? Tacos? How does mexican food come into play for scuba gear? Yeah, I'm sure I know what it means, but I don't know why a wing that fills up and squeezes around a tank would be a bad thing...?
4) Weights & trim -- with the jacket, the instructor had me loaded with 22lbs and said I might be able to get away with using only 20. I know the BP/W is less bulky and less to sink, and add to it that I may want an Al backplate ... how do I get my weight figured out once I make a BP/W decision? I just saw in another thread that weighting for BP/W wasn't ditch-able! Huh???
5) Based on my info that's to follow, can someone maybe make some suggestions? Money is not really a problem unless we're talking about a BC that's going over say $1,100. I want something that will allow me to "grow into it" as I anticipate doing more advanced diving in the future. I travel a lot for work, and I do anticipate diving when the oppty presents itself on occassion, so I was thinking an aluminum backplate, but I don't really know.
Anywhere from 190-200lbs. 6'-1" Probably 90% of my diving will be the Channel Islands here in California in a 7mm wetsuit despite work travel.
So, questions I've got now...
1) Do you have to use a crotch strap for a BP/W system??? Seriously? If so, then I may really rethink the BP/W setup.
2) As a gear-junky with all the other things I do, I kinda want to know the "who's who" and how they rank for BC's. I see a lot of talk for Dive Rite. Not so much for Hollis, but it looked like the Hollis SMS 100 was the top of the line BC at the LDS. Aqualung? Would appreciate someone kind of ranking them out and a quick blurb why.
3) I've done a lot of reading. It's into the wee-hours of the morning. BP/W setup ... are they specific for a single tank setup which would mean you can't use a BP/W system for a two-tank when you go with one tank? STA fixes that? Tacos? How does mexican food come into play for scuba gear? Yeah, I'm sure I know what it means, but I don't know why a wing that fills up and squeezes around a tank would be a bad thing...?
4) Weights & trim -- with the jacket, the instructor had me loaded with 22lbs and said I might be able to get away with using only 20. I know the BP/W is less bulky and less to sink, and add to it that I may want an Al backplate ... how do I get my weight figured out once I make a BP/W decision? I just saw in another thread that weighting for BP/W wasn't ditch-able! Huh???
5) Based on my info that's to follow, can someone maybe make some suggestions? Money is not really a problem unless we're talking about a BC that's going over say $1,100. I want something that will allow me to "grow into it" as I anticipate doing more advanced diving in the future. I travel a lot for work, and I do anticipate diving when the oppty presents itself on occassion, so I was thinking an aluminum backplate, but I don't really know.
Anywhere from 190-200lbs. 6'-1" Probably 90% of my diving will be the Channel Islands here in California in a 7mm wetsuit despite work travel.